Eagles pay Patterson, avoid grievance

PHILADELPHIA – After further review the Eagles did what they felt was the right thing with Mike Patterson.

They re-worked the contract of the eight-year veteran to give him money that wasn’t included under the old terms.

The bottom line is Patterson will remain on the reserve/non-football illness list but won’t lose another dime. He’s as happy as a guy recovering from pneumonia can be. Patterson won’t file a grievance according to his agent, J.R. Rickert.

“Our longstanding relationship with the Eagles has allowed for a successful resolution to our difference,” Rickert said in a statement.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman manned up, if you will, to right what was a contractual wrong.

“We were looking at the contract and at the end of the day it is about the players,” Roseman said in a statement. “So we made it happen. I called Mike Patterson today and told him that we all care about him and can’t wait for him to get back.”

Again, Patterson won’t play again this season. But when he’s healthy, he will be back around One NovaCare Way.

With tight Brent Celek scratched Thursday night, Emil Igwenagu became the 16th player to make his NFL debut with the Eagles this season.

Igwenagu (6-2, 245) was promoted from the practice squad after signing as a rookie free agent out of Massachusetts.

Celek had started every game since entering the NFL in 2007, a string of 98 in a row including the playoffs.

NOTES: Vick and McCoy are scheduled to sign autographs Sunday, Feb. 17 at Garden State Exhibit and Convention Center in Somerset, N.J. … Former Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan is slated to sign autographs this Sunday from 2-3 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.